Historic Scotland’s Ranger Service at Linlithgow Peel, beside the magnificent Linlithgow Palace, is gearing up for a busy weekend of special events. The Rangers are once again inviting volunteers from the local community to support their important conservation work by taking part in their latest Volunteer Day, on Saturday 29th January.

New Stirling Heads reveal their painted faces. Historic Scotland’s recreation of a lost Renaissance masterpiece has been welcomed by Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs. Back in the 1540s the ceiling of the King’s Inner Hall, in the royal palace of James V at Stirling Castle, was decorated with magnificent oak carvings showing the faces of kings, queens, lords, ladies, Roman emperors and ancient heroes. But the ceiling was taken down in 1777 – some of the carvings were destroyed and the rest ended up scattered throughout Scotland and England.

New investment for Kinnaird Head. One of Scotland’s first lighthouses, Kinnaird Head’s fascinating story is to be re-told. The lighthouse, which is owned by Historic Scotland, but run by the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, will see its existing interpretation overhauled and new visitor information panels situated throughout the site which will explain its rich history, from a castle into a lighthouse, the only conversion of its kind in Scotland.

Castle stewards offer an insight into the lives of Robert Burns and Jean Armour

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One of Scotland’s most famous and fascinating romantic duos will be brought to life at St Andrews Castle this weekend when Robert Burns and his wife, Jean Armour, are portrayed by stewards Niall Robertson and Karen Nichols. Visitors are invited along on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd to hear tales of the prolific Ayrshire-born poet who, despite his undoubted love for his ‘Bonnie Jean’ and eventual marriage to her after she bore their second set of twins, never give up his ferocious appetite for philandering and had a lifelong succession of casual affairs.